I have only skimmed through the past 500 threads, but could not find something addressing a question put to me. I hope I haven't been too shortsighted and thus am reopening a topic that has already been posted to death (a horrible way to go, by the way).

An etymology not on a word, but rather the phrase, "the tables have turned".

Also, somewhat off the subject, but I'm new here and was wondering why Jackie's name is the only one in red, and why is it?

The fact that an opinion has been widely held is no evidence that it is not utterly absurd

Table-turning.The turning of tables without the application of mechanical force, which in the early days of spiritualism was commonly practised at seances and sank to the level of a parlour trick. it was said by some to be the work of departed spirits, and by others due to a force akin to MESMERISM.Turn the tables, To. To reverse the conditions or relations, as, for instance, to rebut a charge by bringing forth a counter-charge. The phrase comes from the old custom of reversing the table or board, in games such as CHESS or DRAUGHTS, so that the opponents relative position is altogether changed.

from brewers 1894 hypertext ed

Turning the tables. Rebutting a charge by bringing forth a counter-charge. Thus, if a husband accuses his wife of extravagance in dress, she “turns the tables upon him” by accusing him of extravagance in his, club. The Romans prided themselves on their tables made of citron wood from Mauritania, inlaid with ivory, and sold at a most extravagant price- some equal to a senator's income. When the gentlemen accused the ladies of extravagance, the ladies retorted by reminding the gentlemen of what they spent in tables. Pliny calls this taste of the Romans mensarum insania. It is also used for “audi alteram partem,” and the allusion is then slightly modified- “We have considered the wife's extravagance; let us now look to the husband's.”

“We will now turn the tables, and show the hexameters in all their vigour.”- The Times.

Don't mind her, Andy, pretty, smart, personable girls like her are common as hens teeth! oh, and modest, did i forgt modest? next thing you know, she'll be telling you she is the mother of teen-agers, and all sorts of other malarky!

Jackie's name is in red, cause she makes every day a red letter day around here! Thats reason enough!feeling miscievous today, i couldn't help myself!

'Twas a cold winter's evening,The guests were all leaving,O'Leary was closing the barWhen he turned and he said to the lady in red,"Get out, you can't stay where you are."

She wept a sad tear in her bucket of beer,As she thought of the cold night ahead,When a gentleman dapperStepped out of the crapper,And these are the words that he said:

"Her mother never told herThe things a young girl should knowAbout the ways of college men,And how they come and go (mostly go);Now Age has taken her beauty,And sin has left its sad scar,So remember your mothers and sisters, boys,Let Nellie sleep under the bar."

Well Helen, seems like I've arrived at the right place then . It's amazing how many people are downright opposed, based on some vague morale basis, to flirting with the deceased. I'm glad to find out that the whole world hasn't gone wacko on me. *nods to himself in appreciative affirmation*

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